iPad Pro Release Date 2016, Specs and Features: What to Expect at Apple's March 15 Event

Good news for Apple fans who are waiting for the latest gadget from the company. Today's reports say the Cupertino-based tech giant will present a new 9.7-inch iPad Pro at an event on March 15th, rather than the rumored iPad Air 3. Here's the latest round-up of news about iPad Pro release date, specs and price.

According to 9toMac, the new iPad Pro line will be available in 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch models, much like two variations of the MacBook Pro. It is also reported that the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro will launch at Apple's Tuesday, March 15th event. The shipment of the new devices will start three days later --- March 18.

The smaller iPad Pro will have the same iconic features and specifications of the bigger model. Buyers will experience the high-speed processing power of A9X processor and RAM upgrades from the 12.9-inch model. Moreover, both models will be compatible with the Smart Keyboard & Apple Pencil.

For the smaller 9.7-inch version, the same source said it will have a Smart Connector, and several tech websites said Apple is developing a smaller version of the Smart Keyboard cover attachment. The 9.7-inch variant will also have the same color and storage options as the 12.9-inch model.

Apple has not yet announced the official price range of the new iPad Pro devices. However, Engadget reported that the company is slowing the production of the iPad mini 2 and first iPad Air (and likely eventually killing them off) to keep its tablet lineup from becoming overcrowded.

It is also expected that Apple will launch the new iPad Pro alongside the iPhone 5se, which will basically be a smaller version of the iPhone 6s. However, the iPhone 5se will have top-class hardware specifications.

The upcoming iPhone will reportedly have Apple's A9 processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage capacity. International Business Times published that it will house an NFC chip to support Apple Pay, support for always-on Siri and a clearer 12-megapixel camera technology which supports Live Photos.

The company has sold more than 74.8 million iPhones in three months ending 26 December, and iPad sales were $16.12 million. These figures are from Daily Mail.